Beshears’ chief of staff visits Somerset, discusses issues

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July 7, 2009

By BILL MARDIS, Editor Emeritus The Commonwealth Journal Tue Jul 07, 2009, 09:51 PM EDT

Somerset — Gov. Steve Beshear’s chief of staff drew several rounds of applause when he promised the state would not solve the budget crisis by taking it off the backs of those who can least afford it.

Adam Edelen, speaking Tuesday to a large crowd at the July membership meeting of the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, said state government is struggling with a nearly $2 billion budget shortfall. Never in history, he said, has the state faced such deficits in three successive budget cycles.

In spite of this, Edelen said Beshear has committed to continue education reform, streamline the process by which 67,500 uninsured children can get health insurance, leave untouched the Medicaid program and enhance public safety.

Edelen said education reform has improved the state’s national ranking from 49th to 32nd. The Kentucky General Assembly in1990 passed the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) in response to a ruling the previous year by the Kentucky Supreme Court that the commonwealth's education system was unconstitutional. The court mandated that the Legislature was to enact broad and sweeping reforms at a systemic level, statewide.

“It’s a national model,” commented Edelen. He said the Beshear’s administration firmly believes in educational reform and “ ... it’s a path we will continue.” The statement triggered a round of applause.

“We’ve made a commitment to education. Every child is expected to learn and learn at a high level,” said Edelen. “You get out of children what you expect from them.”

Noting the number of people “ ... who have fallen off the economic ladder,” Edelen said “ ... we haven’t touched Medicaid.” He revealed that between 2,000 and 3,000 Kentuckians are joining the program each month. Medicaid is a federal-state program for Kentuckians who can’t afford medical care.

Edelen said the Beshear administration “ ... does not intend to retreat on public safety. That’s why we haven’t balanced the budget (at the expense) of public safety,” he remarked.

Concerning Medicaid and health insurance for children, Edelen said “We are our brother’s keeper. It’s expensive, but the right thing to do for people who have fallen off the economic ladder. Every child in Kentucky deserves health care.”

He said the Beshear administration is operating with 3,000 fewer employees than the previous administration; smallest since the (John Y.) Brown administration. “Government must be the last line for people who need it,” he said.

Edelen lauded the local chamber of commerce and expressed amazement at the crowd attending the monthly membership meeting.

“You can’t move a community forward without a robust chamber of commerce,” said Edelen. “There’s only one or two chambers in the state that can produce 250 people during a July afternoon,” he remarked, looking at The Center convention hall with every seat filled.

“There is power in the people,” he declared. “A group of people this dedicated can certainly have an impact.”

Despite the state’s financial woes, Edelen says he is optimistic.

“I’m optimistic when history is written, it will say we did the best we could do. With great challenge comes great opportunity.”

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